Dunhurst, McNair Power 3-2 Fireflies Win
July 6, 2023 - Carolina League (CarL)
Columbia Fireflies News Release
COLUMBIA, SC - The Fireflies held back a Charleston late rally to win on the back of a Hayden Dunhurst 2-run triple, 3-2 over the Charleston RiverDogs Thursday night at Joseph P Riley Jr Park.
Hayden Dunhurst got us started in the top of the second. Right after Austin Charles was thrown out at the plate, Columbia's catcher legged out a gapper in left for three bases to score Lizandro Rodriguez and Roger Leyton to break the scoreless tie.
Brennon McNair added to the Fireflies lead with a wall-scraper solo shot to start off the fifth inning. It was McNair's second homer of the season and his first since April 30 at Augusta.
Ryan Ramsey's return to the mound was a success. The southpaw punched out four RiverDogs in three innings without allowing a run. At times, he struggled with the strike zone, walking three batters, but he was able to keep the RiverDogs off the board before giving the ball to the bullpen.
After Ramsey, Wesley Scott kept the hot stretch going, retiring the RiverDogs in order the next two innings with four strikeouts. Next, Eduardo Herrera spun a pair of innings, striking out two without allowing a run.
Finally, Cooper McKeehan (S, 10) came out in the eighth in his 11th save opportunity of the season. Despite allowing a pair of runs in the eighth, he was able to strand the tying run at second in the ninth to lock down his Carolina League-leading 10th save of the season. The save ties him with Trey Cobb for the fourth-most saves in a single season in Fireflies History.
Columbia continues their series with the Charleston RiverDogs tomorrow night at The Joe at 7:05 pm. RHP Ben Kudrna (4-3, 3.96 ERA) toes the rubber for Columbia and Charleston counters with RHP Jake Christianson (2-0, 3.70 ERA).
The Fireflies return home after the All-Star Break, for a three-game series vs the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers July 14-16. The Fireflies have jammed that weekend filled with amazing promotions for our first-ever Dinosaur weekend. Ed's Dinosaurs will bring animatronic, life-sized dinosaurs to Segra Park, we'll have a dinosaur bobblehead giveaway Friday and on Saturday we'll set off a wonderful fireworks show. Tickets are available at FirefliesTickets.com.
Carolina League Stories from July 6, 2023
- Late Push Not Enough in Woodpeckers' Defeat to Mudcats - Fayetteville Woodpeckers
- Figueroa's Strong Start Leads Mudcats to 6-3 Victory - Carolina Mudcats
- Late Game Surge Lifts Fredericksburg - Fredericksburg Nationals
- RiverDogs Leave Tying Run at Second in 3-2 Thursday Loss - Charleston RiverDogs
- Thompson's Magnificent Relief Effort, Janas' Four-Hit Contest Not Enough as Pelicans Rally Late - Augusta GreenJackets
- Hillcats Fall 10-7 on Thursday - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Dunhurst, McNair Power 3-2 Fireflies Win - Columbia Fireflies
- Columbia Fireflies Roster Moves and Game Notes 7.6 vs Charleston - Columbia Fireflies
- Curet Named Carolina League Pitcher of the Month for June - Charleston RiverDogs
- Robbie Perry Named FredNat GM - Fredericksburg Nationals
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